Skylight Pond and Vista

The Skylight Pond Trail begins at the signed trailhead on Steam Mill Road and climbs steadily through dense hardwood forest typical of Vermont’s Breadloaf Wilderness. The route follows an old woods road for much of the way, making for moderate and consistent elevation gain with a few rocky and root-covered sections. Along the way, hikers pass intermittent stream crossings and occasional muddy stretches, especially in spring or after heavy rain. At a signed junction near the top, take a short detour on the Long Trail to a view spur, then continue on to Skylight Pond and the nearby Skyline Lodge. The pond sits in a quiet, high-elevation basin, offering filtered views of the Green Mountains and reliable water access. This is a popular destination for backcountry camping, and moose or boreal bird sightings are possible in the area.